It’s that time of the year we start thinking of getting away from it all. So we sought out one of those people whose jobs are the stuff of envy. For work, Nicole Gulotta travels the world in search of dreamy textiles for her line, Nomadic Thread Society. We chatted with her about how to travel (and pack) just the essentials. 

Q: What’s your travel uniform?

A: Super soft cotton military style pants, layered T’s, a lightweight, cozy shawl, slip on boots.

Essential item: Grey Roxy Shawl Nomadic Thread Society. $248

Q: What are five key pieces to travel with? And where can we find them?

A: A soft and elegant scarf, some slender + light black jeans that you can dress up or down, ballerinas, big accent earrings to make a casual outfit dressier, a lightweight hammam towel – for a weekend away, to use as a shawl when in transit, to lay on a hotel room floor to do some stretching, for the beach, etc.

Q: Do you have a packing strategy? Is there a secret system or perfect bag that you’ve discovered?

A: For years I’ve been using the Victorinox convertible rolling duffle with back pack straps tucked away in a zipped compartment – perfect for getting from the city all the way to the jungle beach! They’ve discontinued it now, and mine is sadly on its last legs. Have been hunting for its replacement, letcha know when I find it!

Here’s a packing edit strategy: Make piles of the things you want to bring by category; dresses, pants, blouses, sweaters, shawls, bags, shoes, etc.. 1. Take only your favorites! 2. Imagine yourself in whatever scenarios you’ll be participating in during your travels – look at your items and put together looks by swapping multiple pieces between outfits. You can repeat items, especially if you change-up accessories, layers, etc. Do not take things you are lukewarm about!

Q:  What’s your fondest travel memory?

A: Here are a few: in Columbia, I visited some waterfalls deep in the jungle that I will never forget. We dove from waterfall to waterfall in order to get down from the heights we had climbed to… exhilarating and scary and majestic. I saw some incredible iguanas and parrots, lived out in nature for a bit, and made use of a good deal of my sarongs and wraps to clothe myself, sleep in, carry things in, etc.

In 2009, I attended the wedding of close friends in Hyderabad, India and that was certainly one of my most beautiful experiences. The bride’s family has a rather more subtle style than what many imagine when they think of Indian weddings. The decor and hospitality at every event were elegant and sublime; elements of natural stone, pale cotton muslin canopies, and simple painted, gold motifs like the tree of life and lotus flower were pervasive. Watching millions of blossoms being strung into flower garlands was breathtaking.  And the bride’s different outfits were stunning: an emerald and gold sari for the welcome party, a yellow sari for her washing and blessing, an incredible sapphire anarkali for the “rehearsal dinner,”  and the most exquisite traditional red and gold sari for the wedding ceremony.

Q:  Where would we be most likely to find you: mountains, city or beach?

A: The beach is my preferred getaway. I live in the city. And I’ll go to the mountains because I have many mountain-loving friends and find the views ecstatic!

Q: Tell us about your last textile discovery for Nomadic Thread Society.

A: Thinks Happen Organically in Tuscany – you can read all about it here!

Looks comfy!

Q: What from your line have you been wearing lately?

A: My grey and white oxford like cotton India Shirt, because it is simple and elegant – I can go to meetings, dinner, etc in it!